Medical negligence poses a serious threat to patients in Fort Wayne hospitals, medical centers, and other healthcare facilities. When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care in their field, the consequences can be devastating—resulting in severe injuries or complications, lifelong disabilities, and even wrongful death.
At Wagner Reese, LLP, our Fort Wayne medical malpractice attorneys have the skills, resources, and experience to take on hospitals and hold them accountable for their actions. One of our attorneys, Jason Reese, has been recognized among Indiana’s Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers by the Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers Association. Call our Fort Wayne personal injury lawyers today for high-powered legal representation for your medical malpractice claim.
Medical Malpractice Laws in Fort Wayne, IN
The attorneys at our Fort Wayne medical malpractice law firm are well-versed with the state laws and will use them to your full advantage to maximize your financial compensation.
Medical Review Panel Requirement
Before a medical malpractice lawsuit can proceed, Indiana law requires claims to be reviewed by a medical review panel. This panel consists of healthcare professionals who evaluate whether the evidence supports the allegations of malpractice. While the panel’s opinion isn’t binding, it’s usually influential in court.
Statute of Limitations
Victims of medical malpractice must file a claim within two years of the date the alleged negligence occurred. In cases involving minors or when the negligence was not immediately discoverable, exceptions may apply.
Damage Caps
Indiana law limits the amount of compensation victims of medical malpractice can recover. As of July 1, 2019, the total damages are capped at $1.8 million, with healthcare providers responsible for up to $500,000 and the Indiana Patient Compensation Fund covering the remainder.
Notably, proving medical malpractice typically requires expert testimony to establish that the healthcare provider deviated from the accepted standard of care and this deviation directly caused the patient’s injuries. At Wagner Reese, LLP, our Fort Wayne malpractice lawyers obtain testimony from top medical experts as needed to establish the liability of the negligent doctors and recover full damages for you.
Types of Medical Negligence Claims We Handle
Our Fort Wayne medical negligence attorneys at Wagner Reese, LLP, have successfully handled a wide range of cases, including:
Surgical Negligence
Surgical errors can have catastrophic consequences, including permanent injury or death. Common examples of surgical negligence include:
- Performing the wrong procedure
- Operating on the wrong body par.
- Leaving surgical instruments or sponges inside the patient
- Failing to properly sterilize equipment, leading to infections
We work with medical experts to prove that your injuries were the direct result of negligence in the operating room.
Delayed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
A delay in diagnosing a serious condition or incorrect diagnosis can prevent patients from receiving life-saving treatment. This type of negligence frequently occurs in cases involving cancer, heart disease, or stroke, where early detection is critical. We’ll investigate your case to determine whether your healthcare provider failed to order necessary tests, misinterpreted lab results, or ignored critical symptoms.
Failure to Monitor the Patient
Proper patient monitoring is essential, particularly in hospitals or post-surgical settings. When healthcare providers fail to monitor vital signs, respond to complications, or notice signs of distress, the results can be catastrophic. This includes cases where patients experience preventable cardiac arrest, sepsis, or respiratory failure due to a lack of attention.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia mistakes can result in brain damage, permanent disability, or death. These errors may involve administering the wrong dosage, failing to monitor the patient’s vital signs, or ignoring patient allergies. Our attorneys work with leading medical experts to demonstrate how negligence during anesthesia administration caused your injuries.
Our Experienced Fort Wayne Medical Malpractice Lawyers Are Ready to Fight for You
If you or a loved one has been injured due to medical negligence, you need a legal team with the experience, resources, and dedication to hold negligent parties accountable. For more than two decades, Wagner Reese, LLP, has been a trusted advocate for victims of medical negligence in Fort Wayne.
With over $300 million recovered for our clients, we have the proven track record to handle even the most complex medical malpractice cases. Attorney Stephen Wagner, recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer every year from 2004 to 2023, has successfully taken numerous cases to jury trials, achieving seven-figure and eight-figure recoveries for our clients.
Our Fort Wayne medical negligence lawyers will fight your case on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Let our top legal team fight for justice and compensation on your behalf. To schedule your free consultation, call us at (888) 204-8440 or contact us online.
